Whether we realize it or not, we learn every day; in fact till our last breath. With each passing day there is an addition of skills, knowledge, outlook,competences.....We usually associate the word 'learning' with the one taking place only in formal environment. But this is not true, learning can take place in informal way also. In fact according to the Institute for Research on Learning,at most, formal training only accounts for 20 percent of how people learn their jobs. We learn by building up a learning environment around us and harnessing it. This environment is termed as Personal Learning Environment (PLE). According to the definition given in Wikipedia, Personal Learning Environments are the system that help learners take control of and manage their own learning. PLE supports lifelong learning along with informal learning which forms a major chunk in gaining knowledge. Hence, the personal learning environment seeks to provide the necessary tools to accomplish lifelong learning.
PLE stresses this fact that we do not learn from one source only; there are multiple avenues for gaining information. Now a days, with the widespread use of technology, it has become much more easier to assemble the sources of learning. It has also been possible to use PLE to learn at one's own pace.
PLE stresses this fact that we do not learn from one source only; there are multiple avenues for gaining information. Now a days, with the widespread use of technology, it has become much more easier to assemble the sources of learning. It has also been possible to use PLE to learn at one's own pace.
Apart from this ,we all have different learning styles. The latest pedagogy stresses this fact and tries to utilize all means to cater to different learning styles of the learners. Differentiated instructions, flexible learning.... all these are attempts to teach the learners in their own unique way. PLE comes to our rescue once more and ensures that we build our learning environment according to our own learning style.Thus, PLE has greater power to reach and teach maximum number of enthusiastic learners.
After reviewing and exploring the PLE/PLN diagrams on EdTech Post’s wiki I found that I could relate to couple of diagrams. They are the ones by Gabi Witthaus and Jaime Oyarzo. The diagram of Gabi shows 'what she wants to do in her PLE' and this diagram is very clear & simple to follow. Jaime's diagram shows her in the center and the web tools used to do various activities form the PLE around her. When I looked at the diagrams, I related to them immediately because most of the elements shown there are also used by me. Before joining this grad program, I had signed up for some of these networks but had no idea about their potential use in the field of education. For example, I thought Facebook was purely for sharing few pictures and staying in touch with friends all over the globe, but CI 484 provided me a totally new perspective of looking at it.
After reviewing and exploring the PLE/PLN diagrams on EdTech Post’s wiki I found that I could relate to couple of diagrams. They are the ones by Gabi Witthaus and Jaime Oyarzo. The diagram of Gabi shows 'what she wants to do in her PLE' and this diagram is very clear & simple to follow. Jaime's diagram shows her in the center and the web tools used to do various activities form the PLE around her. When I looked at the diagrams, I related to them immediately because most of the elements shown there are also used by me. Before joining this grad program, I had signed up for some of these networks but had no idea about their potential use in the field of education. For example, I thought Facebook was purely for sharing few pictures and staying in touch with friends all over the globe, but CI 484 provided me a totally new perspective of looking at it.
Although there are many more connections that I would have liked to add on to my PLE (like my community,various educational organizations...from where I get lot of information) but I think for the time being, these are enough to show as they are used more consistently by me now a days. I would like my PLE to expand more in due course of time because I understand that a strong PLE is a necessity to survive and thrive in future.
I created my PLE with the help of Prezi. I have seen most of my classmates using it extensively to present their work and wanted to use it, so I thought this is the right opportunity to use it! My PLE would fit under Use/Action Oriented as I’m using these web tools/networks to connect, reflect, curate, search..... I also use them to create, present and share my work.
My PLE diagram shows ‘me’ in the center and the networks/web tools used by me are around me. All these tools help me to stay informed and connected with the rest of the world. I wanted to keep my diagram simple so that it is easy to discern the different tools and their uses. The connections shown in my PLE are very much 'active'. I want to gain 'Digital Wisdom' by utilizing my PLE because I agree with what Marc Prensky stated in his article H.Sapiens Digital: From Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives to Digital Wisdom that: Digital wisdom is a twofold concept, referring both to wisdom arising from the use of digital technology to access cognitive power beyond our innate capacity and to wisdom in the prudent use of technology to enhance our capabilities.
My Personal Learning Environment on Prezi
References:
References:
- Attwell,G. Pontydysgu (Jan.2007) Personal Learning Environments-the future of eLearning, Volume 2, Retrieved November 4,2011 from www.elearningpapers.eu
- Prensky,M. (Feb.2009) H.Sapiens Digital : From Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives to Digital Wisdom.Retrieved November 4,2011 fromhttp://www.innovateonline.info/index.php?view=article&id=705
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